One Day Grandkids will need MLK jr.: How that day is today

ONE DAY IN SCHOOL, YOU’LL NEED

TO MAKE A REPORT ON DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

—for Josh and Katie

And for Sammie and Deanna

(who weren’t born yet.)

You can start to look at this book then.

You don’t have to read it.

Just look at a few pictures.

Read a couple of captions underneath

the photos that interest you.

You can make your report from looking

at the pictures. Ask your Mom & Dad

why these words, civil rights

are so important, still. Make them

give you a good answer, too.

You don’t have to read the book. Not yet.

You can take it to school, maybe,

to show your teacher and your friends

that your grandpa got you the biggest book

ever, on Dr. King. It’s good to ask questions:

Why did Grandpa get this book for me

when I was a baby? Who is Taylor Branch

who wrote my name in the book?

One day you’ll want to know what all this

has to do with you. Pick it up, then.

Look at the photo of Mrs. Rosa Parks,

and Bob Moses, too. Check their names

in the index. See those overalls he’s wearing?

You can tell your friends that was the uniform

of civil rights workers. You need to know

about Medgar Evars, too. You’ll know

when it’s time to pick up the book

and read it on your own. Nobody

will have to tell you. Dr. King

led the marches for freedom.

Young people just like yourselves

were warriors pushing him from behind.

One day you’ll need this story.

And one day the story will need you too.

This is a big book about freedom

That’s why Grandpa got you this book.

Love, Grandpa Jim

February 25, 2006